A joint research group of Professor Takahiro Kato of the Department of Psychiatry and Neurology, Kyushu University Hospital, Professor Shigenobu Kanba of Kyushu University, Fukuoka City Mental Health and Welfare Center, Miyazaki University, Iwate Medical University, and Aiiku Counseling Center has provided educational support for families of withdrawals. Developed the program.It aims to deepen understanding of hikikomori and mental illness and improve dialogue skills with hikikomori, and has been effective in follow-up surveys of families who participated in the pilot test.
According to Kyushu University, this program was developed by applying mental health first aid and family training to learn first aid for the mind.When a family member notices a sign of hikikomori, he / she tells him / her that he / she wants to help with anxiety without preaching, and listens without criticism. A mechanism to learn the skills of and practice role-playing to deal with fictitious cases.
Twenty-one parents participated in the pilot test, took five courses every other week for two hours, and followed up for six months. There was an improvement in the person's social participation.
The research group hopes that family support based on this program will be utilized nationwide to help prevent prolonged withdrawal.
Paper information:[Heliyon] Development of 5-day hikikomori intervention program for family members: A single-arm pilot trial
